Windows 10?

[Rick Danger]

Am I overly concerned with privacy? Not really, esp. since my login and Microsoft accounts are pseudonyms anyway..........

I still maintain that the functionality of Windows 10 has not sparked a desire in me to "upgrade", the forced updates and lack of details has not sparked a sense of confidence in me, and the idea that a tool that I use and rely on would be turned into a platform for invasive and totally unwanted advertising HAS SPARKED near total disdain on my part.

And if everything about Microsoft's EULA is so benign, why not give the users the choice to "opt in" to telemetry and advertising instead of forcing it down their throats? And why the concern about limiting court based litigation or class action law suits?

....the Windows 10 EULA adds the interesting twist that US users agree to an unmissable clause binding them to settle disputes individually via arbitration rather than via law courts or class action law suits.

If as one analysis stated the language in the EULA is to head off potential lawsuits, what is there about Redmond's strategic direction that would give their lawyers reason to craft such language? As one wise man put it "..... you don't put on a condom unless you're ready to f---."


OH, and if I see the Windows 10 commercial one more time, I'm going to hurl a brick through my TV screen...........maybe they should spend less on TV ads and more on PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. Wow, what a concept.....

[DTravel]

Originally Posted by Misrule

As an alternative view to our collective paranoia, there is a lucid article on ZDNet that provides an alternative explanation of the data privacy issues in Win 10. It's worth reading to get a different perspective.
http://www.zdnet.com/article/microso...privacy-furor/

From the article

Apple sparked a furor over ad blockers with the recent release of iOS 9, for example, but Microsoft built nearly identical tracking protection features into Internet Explorer 9 nearly five years ago.

They did? This is the first I've heard of it. Has anyone else heard of this? Has anyone tried it? Does it actually work?

[9876543210]

Originally Posted by DTravel

They did? This is the first I've heard of it. Has anyone else heard of this? Has anyone tried it? Does it actually work?

I'm probably not the best person to answer this but, as a former corporate trainer in the IT field, I used to tell my students not to use IE because of the serious security holes in the application.

Even though that was a while ago, I haven't heard or read of a single thing to make that advice incorrect, to this day.

[Rick Danger]

Duhuhh, my mind must be slowing down in my declining years.

It hit me tonight, while the Windows 10 commercial was running yet again, ad nauseam, on prime time TV. I don't recall any TV ads for Windows 8, Vista, or XP. And certainly not ad spots during prime time shows and sporting events like Sunday Night Football.

So here's the question: If Windows 10 is so great, WHY is Microsoft spending such big money to promote a product they are giving away for free???? I can't recall ever seeing a FREE product advertised on TV.

This gives great support to Mr. a435843's assertion that Windows 10 installs have cooled despite the claimed early momentum. Is Redmond's prime time ad campaign a sinking ship sending out flares and the SOS in the hopes that help will come before Windows 10 flounders?

Makes you wanna go "hummm.......?"

[rlg118]

From Windows Secrets:

"Attempting to answer whether MS is snooping"

http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/...s-is-snooping/

[Rick Danger]

IF YOU ARE RUNNING WINDOWS 7 YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS.

APPARENTLY MICROSOFT RELEASED A "TEST" UPDATE TO WINDOWS UPDATE.

READ THE DETAILS HERE:

http://vintage-erotica-forum.com/sho...2&postcount=33

This is off topic, but I thought given the critical nature of this issue I'd post this link.

[Rick Danger]

Credit and many thanks to Mr. RLG118 for posting the link to the article "Attempting to answer whether MS is snooping" on the WindowsSecrets.com website. That article included a link to the "Windows IT Pro" website and this article. Bravo sir !



How to: Turn Off Telemetry in Windows 7, 8, and Windows 10
Sep 9, 2015 Rod Trent



Using telemetry built into Windows 10, Microsoft sought to improve the features and overall experience of the operating system through automated uploads of data. This capability is provided using the Diagnostic Tracking Service and is complete opt-in.

Last month, Microsoft delivered some optional updates to Windows 7 and Windows 8 users (KB3075249, KB3080149 and KB3068708) that would provide the same telemetry data. Even though the updates were optional and the telemetry service is opt-in, and there's been a lot of hubbub around Windows 10 privacy settings, some users have taken offense to the inclusion of telemetry services in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

For those that don't want to participate in providing automatic feedback to improve the operating system, Telemetry can be turned off completely.

To do this:

Run the Services desktop app.



Locate Diagnostics Tracking Service in the services list and open its Property Sheet.

Stop the Diagnostics Tracking Service and then change the Startup Type to Disabled.



Additionally, Microsoft provides a GPO for Windows 10 to turn this off. The GPO is located at:

Computer Configuration>Administrative Templates>Windows Components>Data Collection and Preview Builds> Allow Telemetry

​A GPO is not supplied for Windows 7 or Windows 8, yet. But, savvy administrators can create their own GPO for the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\DiagTrack

Open the subkey corresponding to the service you wish to change, and modify the value of 'Start' to equal either "2" (for automatic), "3" (for manual) or "4" (for disabled).

Additionally, you can use PowerShell to stop the Diagnostics Tracking Service and change the Startup Type to disabled:

stop-service diagtrack
set-service diagtrack -startuptype disabled

http://windowsitpro.com/windows-10/h...and-windows-10

[pigulici]

Yes, from know we will do a run like mouse and cat each day, with M$ updates, I just turn off automatic update in win 7, no win 10 for now, and basta, I have a life to live...

[EsotericKnave]

Originally Posted by a435843

Most interestingly, Safer Networking has put out a free utility for Windows 7 users and up, called Spybot Anti-Beacon for Windows, that supposedly cuts out a lot of the telemetry business that MS has pulled recently. I haven't tried it yet, but check it out, it might be the easiest way yet to rid yourself of the telemetry and forced download updates.

I tried it:

[EsotericKnave]

Originally Posted by Rick Danger

"


OH, and if I see the Windows 10 commercial one more time, I'm going to hurl a brick through my TV screen...........maybe they should spend less on TV ads and more on PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. Wow, what a concept.....

I don't watch TV, so I wouldn't know this, but is it ordinary practice to advertise an OS?